Felony Eluding/Possession of Stolen Motor Vehicle

On Tuesday morning, May 22nd, at about 4:30 a.m., Spokane County Sheriff's Deputy R. Truman was patrolling near the area of Sheridan and Hastings Road when he observed a suspicious vehicle parked north of Hastings Road. Deputy Truman saw there were two
occupants inside the vehicle and when he drove closer, could see both of them frantically moving around in the front of the vehicle reaching underneath the front seats.

Deputy Truman contacted the occupants of the vehicle and noticed the steering column was damaged with the cover broken in several pieces. Deputy Truman also noticed the ignition was punched and a screwdriver on the center console of the vehicle.

Dispatch advised Deputy Truman the vehicle was stolen while he was talking with the occupants. The male driver, identified as 38-year-old Michael Wheeler, was very agitated Deputy Truman had contacted him and his passenger, 22-year-old Jamie Burdeau. Learning
he had located a stolen vehicle, Deputy Truman ordered Wheeler and Burdeau to keep their hands where he could see them while waiting for additional units to arrive.

Wheeler failed to obey Deputy Truman's instructions and placed the Jeep Cherokee into reverse. Deputy Truman told Wheeler he was under arrest and ordered him to stop. Wheeler disregarded Deputy Truman's commands and continued to drive the Jeep in reverse. Wheeler
struck a shed, fence and other vehicles near the area he was parked before fleeing.

Deputy Truman and other deputies checked the area and found the Cherokee abandoned and running near the area of 3rd and Railroad Street in Mead. Deputy Satake located Burdeau walking near the vehicle and Burdeau told him Wheeler ran east from the vehicle. Burdeau
later told Deputy Truman she and Wheeler were waiting to meet someone so Wheeler could buy some "meth".

A Spokane Police Department K9 unit responded and located Wheeler's gray hoodie near the vehicle. Wheeler was not located at that time.

Shortly after clearing the scene, Deputy Truman was advised dayshift patrol units located Wheeler at Argonne and Bruce Road. Deputy Truman responded to the scene and placed Wheeler under arrest for Possession of a Stolen Vehicle and Felony Eluding. Wheeler
was sweating profusely and told Deputy Truman he ate an unknown amount of cocaine. Deputy Truman transported Wheeler to a local hospital for treatment.

• Wheeler will be booked into Spokane County Jail on the charges of Possession of a Stolen Vehicle and Felony Eluding when released from the hospital.
• Burdeau was booked into jail on the charge of Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle.